Kenyi(Maylandia lombardoi)

Maylandia Lombardoi, also known as Kenyi, is a species living in Lake Malawi in Africa. Like many fish from this area, it is very territorial and has a strong character! This sheet will give you tips to maintain this cichlid that can be quite difficult.

What kind of behavior does the Kenyi have?

Kenyi is very very territorial: it will defend fiercely and with violence its zone of life, in which it does not tolerate any presence. It will be perfectly respectable, even in the face of species deemed territorial. It was sometimes observed that after a few weeks, only the Lombardoi male remained in the aquarium: it cleaned up around him, killing all the other occupants of the aquarium with stress and fatigue! The cohabitation of this species should therefore be very carefully measured and studied (see "cohabitation").

Despite this strong character, it is quite sensitive to stress. A stressed fish will be easily noticed because black lines will appear along its body.

Cohabitation

Who can live with the Kenyi?

Because of its quarrelsome temperament, avoid associating the Kenyis with some of the peaceful fish from Malawi, such as the Aulonocara (these cohabitations are however possible in volumes greater than 500/600 liters or 110/132 imp gal or 132/158 US gal). Attention also to cohabitation with Maylandia barlowi and Maylandia estherae because of the risk of hybridization.

Kenyi very much appreciates the presence of its peers. Plan at least a trio. Indeed, an isolated fish will stress and will be more susceptible to diseases. Always plan for a higher number of females.

How to breed the Kenyi?

During the breeding season, the Maylandia lombardoi will be even more aggressive than usual.

It is polygamous, so you’ll need 1 male for 2 females.

The ideal water parameters for breeding are: temperature at 25°C or 77°F, pH at 8, and hardness at 16°d GH.

During the breeding season, the male will constantly harass the female to form a couple (even killing it sometimes). It is during this period that you will see if the decoration of your aquarium is well arranged: the female must be able to hide easily from the male.

Kenyi is a maternal oral incubator. Once laid and fertilized, the eggs will be collected in the mouth of the female where they will incubate for about 21 days. During this period, the female stops feeding: do not worry, this behavior is normal.

Then it will spit its fry (between 20 and 30). On expulsion, they measure about 1.5 centimeters or 0.4 inches.

Fry food: Frozen cyclops, Artemia nauplies and straws.

Its aquarium

Which aquarium for the Kenyi?

If you choose to maintain Maylandia lombardoi, choose an aquarium of at least 300 liters (66 imp gal or 79 US gal) for 3 individuals (bare minimum). This aquarium must also have at least 120 centimeters or 47 inches in front.

This fish will readily dig into the soil of the tank. To avoid injury, consider a non-cutting substrate.

To recreate its natural living conditions, place many rocks and stones, which you will pile up to form caves and hiding places. However, be careful with the stability of your decoration so that it does not collapse (you can stick the rocks together for more security).

There is no point in planting your aquarium because your Maylandia lombardoi will take pleasure in uprooting everything every day. Indeed, it digs, moves and destroys its environment until it is to its taste. The only exceptions will be very robust plants such as Anubias for example, which you will fix securely to your decoration.

Because it constantly digs in the sand, pollution can rise quite quickly in an aquarium with Lombardoi. Change between 20 to 25% of the water once a week to ensure clean water.